Question 1

When caring for a patient on Droplet Precautions, it is most important for the nurse to:

Accepted Answer

The wearing of a mask when working within 3 feet is all that is necessary for a patient on Droplet Precautions.

Question 2

A patient on Airborne Precautions says to the nurse, "I feel like I'm going crazy cooped up in here. I feel like just sneaking out and finding someone to talk to." The best response by the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

Talking about a shared interest will divert the patient.

Question 3

A patient with primary tuberculosis is on Airborne Precautions, and he spends much of the day sleeping and is confused and awake at night. An appropriate nursing intervention for this patient is to:

Accepted Answer

A patient on Airborne Precautions (or any isolation) may become confused and have difficulty sleeping related to sensory deprivation, and the daytime sleeping may reflect boredom and further contribute to sleeplessness at night. Providing diversionary activities addresses these problems.

Question 4

The most effective part of infection control to reduce the incidence of health care-associated infections (HAIs) is to:

Accepted Answer

Proper hand hygiene is the single most important aspect of medical asepsis and infection control.

Question 5

A patient has a nursing diagnosis of Infection, related to inadequate primary defenses, as evidenced by surgical incision and intravenous (IV) line access. An appropriate nursing intervention for this patient is to:

Accepted Answer

Early identification of infection leads to prompt treatment and decreased transmission to others. Effective documentation provides a comparison from shift to shift about appearance of incision and IV site.

Question 6

The nurse cautions that a person in the incubation period of an infection:

Accepted Answer

During the incubation period, patients can transmit the disease, although they don't have identifiable symptoms. The incubation period varies depending on the microorganisms.

Question 7

The nurse clarifies that the difference between the use of earlier types of isolation procedures and the use of current Standard Procedures plus Transmission-Based Precautions as outlined by the CDC is:

Accepted Answer

Earlier Universal Precautions and Isolation Precautions focused on preventing the spread of blood-borne pathogens and secretions or excretions of a person specifically known to be infected. They have been replaced with Standard Precautions for all patients, and Transmission-Based Precautions for those specifically infected, because of the understanding that infection may be present in body secretions or excretions even when the person is apparently healthy.

Question 8

The nurse recognizes a break in aseptic technique when:

Accepted Answer

Allowing the hands to become lower than the elbow is a break in aseptic technique.

Question 9

The nurse collecting a sputum specimen for a patient with staphylococcal pneumonia will:

Accepted Answer

Contaminated specimens are collected using appropriate PPEs and sent to the lab in a clearly marked Biohazard bag as required by OSHA.

Question 10

A patient who has active primary tuberculosis is placed on Airborne Precautions. In addition to observing Standard Precautions for this patient, the nurse expects that:

Accepted Answer

An N95 particulate filter respirator is worn by anyone entering the room of a patient with primary tuberculosis. A private room is preferred. The patient should leave the room only for essential activities (with a mask).

Question 11

A family member has been instructed in the administration of subcutaneous medication at home. The nurse instructs her to:

Accepted Answer

The use of a heavy plastic container with a secure lid, such as a bleach or detergent bottle, is a safe way to dispose of the uncapped syringe.

Question 12

The nurse performing a surgical scrub is aware that the average time for the scrub is _____ minutes.

Accepted Answer

The average length of time required for a surgical scrub will differ with the antimicrobial solution used and the agency policy, but the average is 2 to 4 minutes.

Question 13

The correct way to handle soiled linens in the room of a patient who is on Contact Precautions is for the nurse to:

Accepted Answer

The nurse should wear a gown to protect the uniform and should wear barrier gloves to roll the soiled sheets together and place them in the designated container inside the room.

Question 14

The nursing intervention most likely to decrease the chance of health care-associated infections (HAIs) for a 76-year-old patient following bowel resection surgery would be to have the patient:

Accepted Answer

Having the patient turn, cough, and deep-breathe every 2 hours can help prevent the complication of pneumonia in the postoperative patient. Turning, coughing, and deep-breathing can enhance the prevention of pneumonia in the surgical patient.

Question 15

An 84-year-old patient is hospitalized for an infected stasis ulcer on his ankle. The nurse is aware that this patient is at risk for a hospital-acquired infection (HAI) because the:

Accepted Answer

The elderly have an impaired immune system. This patient's immune system is already engaged with the stasis ulcer, which may put him at risk for an HAI.

Question 16

The nurse is helping the physician perform a sterile procedure at the bedside. Halfway through the procedure, the nurse believes the physician has contaminated the sterile field. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

It is the responsibility of the nurse to point out any possible break in surgical asepsis. Saying nothing does not protect the patient and is negligence on the part of the nurse. A fresh sterile field should be provided.

Question 17

The nurse is aware that the patient most at risk for a health care-associated infection (HAI) would be the:

Accepted Answer

Patients with incisions, IV lines, urinary catheters, and other invasive procedures are more likely to develop a health care-associated infection (HAI).

Question 18

The nurse adding sterile liquids to a sterile field should:

Accepted Answer

Once a sterile field is wet, it is contaminated and a new field needs to be prepared.

Question 19

A patient is discharged home with a draining wound that was infected and for which he was on Contact Precautions while in the hospital. He lives at home with his 48-year-old wife and their 17-year-old daughter. It is most important to emphasize to this patient that:

Accepted Answer

In the home, Contact Precautions require the use of barrier gloves to prevent contact with wound secretions during dressing changes (or if linens were soiled) and during the handling of soiled dressings. Soiled dressings should be disposed of in a securely tied plastic bag. Good hand hygiene and attention to medical asepsis principles are sufficient.

Question 20

When the patient complains of vague symptoms of malaise and fatigue and has a low grade fever, but has no other specific signs of illness, the nurse suspects that this patient is in the prodromal phase of infection (the time immediately before the illness is diagnosed). The nurse should include in the plan of care to:

Accepted Answer

The nurse should increase observation and assessments for specific signs of illness during the prodromal phase of infection.

Quiz 17: Infection Prevention and Control in the Hospital and Home